During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul.
Parallel translations
- WEB While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.
- KJV And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
- NKJV Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.
- NASB Now it happened that while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening himself in the house of Saul.
- NLT As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
During the ongoing war, Abner strengthens his own position in Saul's house. His growing power sets up the coming crisis.
Overview
As the conflict continues, Abner consolidates his influence within Ishbosheth's kingdom, becoming the true power behind the throne. His ambition prepares the way for the dispute with Ishbosheth that follows. The verse exposes the human politics at work even as God's larger purpose to give the kingdom to David moves forward.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 2 Sam 2:8–9Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
- Isa 8:9–10Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered!
- 2 Kgs 10:23Next, Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab entered the temple of Baal, and Jehu said to the servants of Baal, “Look around to see that there are no servants of the LORD here among you—only servants of Baal.”
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Joel 3:9–13Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack!
- 2 Chr 25:8Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will make you stumble before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.”
- Matt 12:30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 3:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.